July 21, 1995, Dear Museum Collections Personnel, I am currently working on
several Museum Studies courses through Prescott College.  A current
assignment is to ask several real-life collections personnel about what they
consider "wise use" of collection items.  Could you please spare the valuable
but brief few minutes, to pose an answer to the following scenario? You may
respond by phone to (520)682-2272, FAX (520)684-5794, e-mail at [log in to unmask],
or snail mail P.O. Box 1446 Wickenburg, AZ 85358.  It would be ideal to hear
from you within two weeks so that I may compose my findings into a report.
 All respondents will, can, may remain anonymous...you say. Type of museum
________. Nature of your collections _________. Your position _______.
Estimated number of staff at your institution _______. Scenario:  You are a
curator planning a retrospective of the art of a major regional artist and
his/her influence on the local art community.  Your want to use a particular
work from your institution's collection because, due to a disastrous studio
fire, it is the only surviving example of the artist's work from a key period
of his/her development.  This painting is obviously in need of conservation.
 The canvas support is very brittle and you can see loose flakes of paint on
the surface.  There is not enough time before the exhibition opens to have
any conservation work completed.  Should you use it or not?  What would you
consider "wise use" of the work in relation to this exhibition?  Would you
talk about it only, use a reproduction of it, or protect it as best as your
institution can and put it on view? Or....what?????? Thank you very much for
your time. Sincerely,  Sheila Kollasch, Curator, Desert Caballeros Western
Museum